Nobody Likes Tony Tinderholt
Tarrant County voters would be throwing away their vote if the re-elect one of the most disliked and ineffective members in the Texas House.
During the 87th Legislature, Representative Tony Tinderholt’s (R-Tarrant County) only friend in the Texas House was Representative Bryan Slaton. Slaton spent the entirety of that legislative session talking about what children had in their pants. When Slaton cried on the front mic about gender-affirming care, Tinderholt stood by with tissues and comforting words during Slaton’s teary outbursts.
As we all know now, Bryan Slaton was expelled in the 88th Legislative Session for committing date rape on an intern. This left Tinderholt in search of a new sidekick. Luckily for Tinderholt, freshman Representative Nate Schatzline (R-Tarrant County) was there to be a shoulder he could lean on. Representative Steve Toth (R-Montgomery County) and Representative Brian Harrison (R-Ellis County) soon found common ground with Tony Tinderholt. This quartet, bound by their shared sponsorships from Tim Dunn and his affiliates, was quickly dubbed “The Feckless Four,” though their superhero prowess remained notably absent.
Tinderholt’s friend-finding saga hits a snag. However, as it turns out, his charm (or lack thereof) has not endeared him to many within the hallowed halls of the Texas House, irrespective of party lines. This is why he chose to campaign against so many Republicans this year: Both sides of the aisle kill his bills and amendments constantly. That isn’t going to change next year in the 89th Legislature.
Tinderholt has alienated almost every single member of the House on both sides of the aisle.
Funded generously by Tim Dunn and the Defend Texas Liberty PAC, Tinderholt decided to cosplay as Captain Extreme. This role saw him rally a whopping trio of votes (Slaton, Schatzline, and himself) against Speaker Dade Phelan. When an anti-Nazi resolution made the rounds, Tony zagged where others zigged, refusing to sign and instead waving the banner for Team Crook in solidarity with Ken Paxton.
When Republicans in the House signed an anti-Nazi resolution, Tony was only one of the few who didn’t sign it. And when Ken Paxton was impeached, Tinderholt declared himself Team-Crook and then went to war with Dade Phelan, pissing off several dozen Republicans in the process.
Multiple House Republicans have complained that Tinderholt always tries to blow up their legislation by adding culture war amendments to bills designed actually to help the people of Texas. His attempts to derail legislation that would actually benefit Texans have made him as popular as a mosquito at a nudist colony.
Like when he tried to kill legislation designed to give children access to mental health. You can see that clip here:
Tinderholt also has a history of using derogatory and racist language in committee settings. Like what he did here:
Not one of Tinderholt’s authored bills has passed since 2019.
During the last two legislative sessions, Tinderholt authored many bills, but none passed. If it wasn’t for a few Republicans nice enough to let Tinderholt sign on as a co-sponsor on their bills. In that case, you’d never even know that Tinderholt worked in Austin legislating the people’s business.
Tony Tinderholt has been one of Texas’s most ineffective legislators over the last decade. He’s useless because he seethes hatred and arrogance, directing that energy toward almost all his co-workers on both sides of the aisle.
Tony Tinderholt’s legislative career is effectively over. Even if he gets re-elected and the House gets a new speaker, Tinderholt will never pass another one of his bills again because he’s made so many enemies in the Texas House.
The far-right has picked up a few seats this year, and maybe they’ll decide to befriend Tinderholt as Slaton and Schatzline did. However, this will impact their relationships with other members, and they still won’t have enough in their camp to pass legislation.
In the grand theater of Texas politics, Tony Tinderholt has played the role of a lone ranger without a posse, a testament to the idea that no man is an island, except perhaps in the vast sea of legislative politics where bridges once burned don’t easily rebuild.
Tinderholt is an example of how fervent ideology can lead to political isolation when not tempered with the art of diplomacy and collaboration. The far-right’s recent gains hint at possible new alliances for Tinderholt, but it won’t be enough. Whether Tinderholt’s political career will find a second wind or continue to flutter in the winds of obscurity, it’s clear that the path for Tarrant County residents is to replace him with someone who will get things done.
Remember: Vote early, vote often, just vote.
Important 2024 primary RUNOFF election days:
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Michelle, I need your thoughts on Tarrant county Democrat turnout and how to boost it this year.
Well-written summary on one of the most odious members of the Texas House. As you point out, his circle of friends is so small, although his rich patrons keep throwing good money after bad.
He must be disappointed that his brother-in-harm Kyle Biedermann lost his comeback bid in spite of — or because of — his full-throated defense of the child moldester Bryan Slaton.